Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder retires from international football

Wesley Sneijder had a 15-year long international career in football with Netherlands national team, having played for them 133 times.

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March 4, 2018

UPDATED: March 4, 2018 17:09 IST

Wesley Sneijder is the most capped Dutch international, having played 133 times for them. (Photo: Reuters)

HIGHLIGHTS

Wesley Sneijder announced his retirement from international football.

Sneijder had a 15-year long career with the Dutch national team.

Sneijder is the most capped Dutch international.

Wesley Sneijder, on Sunday, announced his retirement from international football, thus ending his 15-year long career with the Netherlands national team.

Sneijder made his debut for thee Dutch in 2003, went on to play for them a total of 133 times and ended a World Cup runners-up in South Africa in 2010.

Last June, Sneijder set a new record for most caps by a Dutch international when he got his 131st cap for the national side. He played his last match in November's 3-0 away win against Romania in a friendly.

The decision follows discussions with new Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, who went to see him in Qatar, the Dutch football association KNVB said in a statement.

"Wesley is one of the best Dutch internationals in recent years, an amazing player with a great attitude. But I want to build a new team and therefore have to make choices," Koeman said in the statement.

The 33-year-old Sneijder said he knew his international career would be in jeopardy when he left Nice in January to play at Al Gharafa in Qatar.

"On top of that I understand that Koeman wants to start a new era with newer, younger players. We spoke about this openly in a friendly discussion and I respect his decision," Sneijder said.

The KNVB said they would now discuss with Sneijder a possible role for him in the national team structures once he stopped playing and had achieved the necessary coaching qualifications.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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